Leon Joseph Danczak

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Leon Joseph Danczak, aged 87, from Lincoln, Nebraska on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. Leon is survived by wife of 62 years, Virginia (nee Jones) Danczak; his son Kevin Danczak (Charlyne Tsou) of Winnetka, California; his daughter Elizabeth Brodersen (Brett Brodersen) of Lincoln, Nebraska; his granddaughter Devin Ullsperger (Ivor Peci) of Lincoln, Nebraska; his great granddaughters, Remi and Ivy Peci of Lincoln, Nebraska; his sister Sr. Lee Anne Danczak, of the Sister of Saint Joseph Catholic congregation, of Grand Island, Nebraska; his brother Bernard Danczak (Joann Danczak) of Saint Paul, Nebraska; his sister Maureen Kahrhoff (Jim Kahrhoff) of Grand Island, Nebraska; and his brother Raymond Danczak (Frances “Fran” Danczak) of Sun City, Arizona.

On November 20, 2024 a visitation (5 p.m. thru 7:30 p.m.) and rosary (7:30 p.m. thru 8 p.m.) will be held at the Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68512.

On November 21, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. a mass of christian burial will take place at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ, 3500 Sheridan Blvd, Lincoln Nebraska, followed by a 12 p.m. reception and a 1:45 p.m. interment/burial at the Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home 6800 S 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68512.

Leon was born on April 12, 1937 to parents Leo and Elizabeth in Arcadia, Nebraska and grew up on the farm. After he graduated from Arcadia High School, Leon enlisted in the United States Navy, serving for six years from 1958 until 1963 as an Aviation Structural Mechanic in the Helicopter Utility Squadron Two or “HU-2,”. also known as the “Fleet Angels,” based in Lakehurst, New Jersey. One of the self-described highlights for Leon was from September of 1958 to March of 1959, when he went on what was delineated as the “Mediterranean Cruise” on board the supercarrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) leaving Norfolk, Virginia and touring the Mediterranean Sea, sailing to Gibraltar; Sicily and Naples, Italy; Cannes and Marseilles, France; and Barcelona, Spain, just to name a few. In the second half of his service Leon even traveled above the arctic Circle, saying that it was one of the greatest moments spent in the service of his country.

After completing his time in the navy, Leon went on to be a glazier in Lincoln, Nebraska…as such he was an expert at cutting, fitting and removing glass, mirrors, in and out of windows, doors, cabinetry, autos...you name it and he could do it. He started with Cook's Paint & Glass before transitioning to City Glass Company and finally to A Better Glass Company, where his talents were eventually showcased in a feature article in the local newspaper, the Lincoln Journal Star. With 42 years as a glazier to his credit, Leon retired in 2003.

He met his wife Virginia while living in Lincoln, Nebraska, and they married on November 3, 1962, going on to have two children, Kevin and Elizabeth.

After Leon retired, he continued managing the two family farms and traveling to various places with Virginia. He loved spending time with his granddaughter Devin, with his family and friends, with his dog Pepper, and he especially loved watching Nebraska football. Above all, Leon loved shoveling snow in the frigid Nebraska temperatures of winter (…no, no he didn’t, not really).

It was not by chance that this one-time farm boy from central Nebraska, sailor of the seas and man who placed the importance of family above everything else, was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing...he was popular, liked and loved, and he will be missed by many, his absence long felt and his voice not soon forgotten.